Palisade Senior, Grace McAnany, is the Female Athlete of the Week brought to you by Palisade Dino Mart. McAnany is on the Palisade Varsity Volleyball team where she plays middle hitter and blocker. “I have been playing since 7th grade,” stated McAnany. “I was inspired by my friends and family to start playing, mainly because of my height.” The love that McAnany has for the sport is invaluable.
“My favorite thing about volleyball is definitely the team aspect. Other individual sports don’t always have the same amount of love for each other within their team as team sports do. This year, our success is highly attributed to the way we loved each other and played together. We really stress the idea of being a part of something bigger than yourself, and I think the culture of the Palisade volleyball program is definitely unique and unlike any other school in the valley. I am proud to have been a part of it.”
The bonds that are created between the coaches and players are a core aspect to McAnany’s growth. “My biggest inspiration would probably be my coaches. They have accomplished so much in their own individual volleyball careers as well as in their coaching careers. I really admire their love and dedication to the game.” These relationships are irreplaceable to McAnany’s success. “I have been awarded All-Conference Honorable mention my sophomore year, Academic All-State First Team all four years, State Championship participant my sophomore, junior and senior years, along with other team awards. Other than awards, I would say that I have improved so much over the course of my high school career and I am proud of my personal growth.”
McAnany has gone through the ups and downs in volleyball, giving her the lessons and experiences to overcome any challenge. “Trying out for a high school sport is scary and intimidating, but it is so worth it. I have made so many lifelong connections and learned so many lessons that I can take with me outside of the sport and outside of high school. Palisade volleyball is like a family, and I encourage younger players to push themselves outside of their comfort zones to get involved with it.”
The leadership and friendship that McAnany brings to the team is valued by her teammates and her peers. The positivity she carries goes without being unnoticed. Congratulations Grace McAnany for receiving Athlete of the Week!
